Have you ever held your fingers over the record button of a VCR to capture the exact moment something was about to happen on a television show? For many students (and younger teachers) this concept is entirely foreign. The stress and excitement of recording the perfect clip on a blank videotape are totally lost on […]
In this episode I share twenty five ways to use explainer videos with students. You’ll hear how this medium can provide background knowledge, grab students’ attention and act as an exemplar for their own creations! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: iTunes/Podcast App Google Play Stitcher Spotify So let’s make this EdTech easy… […]
One of the highlights of my work is talking shop with other educators who are passionate about the power of technology in education. Earlier this month I chatted with Dr. Troy Hicks, a Professor of English & Education at Central Michigan University. We spoke about the world of literacy and EdTech. Dr. Hicks mentioned his […]
You might have heard the buzz in a Facebook post shared by a friend or a picture in your Instagram feed. Well, last year I connected with the folks behind the Alphabet Legends series. They even gave me a book to giveaway on my own Instagram page. I’m so excited to share a few ways […]
Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to speak at a variety of literacy conferences. From Nebraska to Maryland, Orlando to Austin, I’ve shared strategies for integrating digital tools into the classroom and favorite online resources for educators. High on my list of favorite resources is Storyline Online. If you haven’t heard of […]
At a conference in Arizona this week, I shared favorite online resources for readers. Although I highlighted popular content consumption tools for readers, like EPIC!, Newsela, and Scholastic News, I also focused on creation in the reading classroom. Readers can access news articles, blog posts, videos and ebooks easier than ever. It’s wild to think […]
Do you have reluctant writers in your classroom? As an elementary school teacher, I loved modeling writing and hosting a writer’s workshop for students. But I also knew it wasn’t every student’s favorite subject area. If elementary school writing is a topic you’re covering this year, you will want to check out Night Zookeeper. I […]
MoxieReader is a blended literacy program for school and home that digitizes and personalizes independent reading. It features book scanning and tracking, leveled book recommendations, and motivation to read through personalized reading plans. Independent reading is an important part of a child’s day and this tool helps children…
Are you using a blended learning program in your classroom? Lexia Reading Core5 is a research-based program for students in PreK through fifth grade. It is friendly for schools with lots of different types of technology. Lexia Reading Core5 provides norm-referenced data for teachers to help make instructional decisions for individual students. Instead of taking a test, the […]
Nearpod is a favorite tool that I used in my classroom as a one-to-one iPad teacher and now use all the time in my professional development workshops. I love how Nearpod makes any lesson interactive and engaging while giving teachers actionable formative assessment data. Since Nearpod is an absolute favorite so I thought I’d take […]